Shame: Her daughter had cancer, SKIMS Doctors diagnosed Hernia

Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, 1 April: Two years after Iqra Ayoub’s death, her mother Hafeeza Bano continues to struggle for justice.Iqra died on April 1, 2014 after she was “wrongly” operated for hernia at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS).

She was actually suffering from cancer, but doctors at SKIMS operated her for hernia, recalled Hafeeza, who has been moving from pillar to post to seek action against the “errant” doctors.

Hafeeza also said that she doesn’t want another girl to die like her daughter did, also saying that how her daughter wished to become a doctor and serve society.

Iqra was pursuing graduation when she underwent the surgery at SKIMS. Hafeeza, who hails from Budgam’s Chadoora village, says her daughter first developed pain in the abdomen following which she was referred to a local hospital from where she was shifted to SKIMS for treatment.

“It was in November 2013 that doctors at SKIMS operated on my daughter for hernia. Post surgery she was discharged from the hospital, but soon after she again developed pain in the abdomen,” Hafeeza told the Tribune, alleging that the doctors at the SKIMS misled her.

“They kept us saying that she had a hernia which was removed. They misled us and did not tell us that Iqra was suffering from cancer,” said Hafeza as she rued the “casual and careless attitude” of the SKIMS doctors.

“Biopsy tests conducted at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai later showed that my daughter was suffering from cancer,” she said.

In fact, soon after Iqra’s death, Hafeeza approached the DIG, Kashmir Range, with a complaint against two doctors at SKIMS – Dr Khursheed Alam Wani and Dr Rouf Ahmad Wani. In the complaint, which was marked by the DIG concerned to the SSP, Srinagar, on May 9, 2015 for “enquiry”, the family had sought action against the duo for medical negligence.Hafeeza also approached the SKIMS Director, besides lodging a complaint against the doctors with the State Human Right Commission, where the case is listed for hearing on April 4.

“When my daughter was dying, I had promised her that I won’t spare the doctors responsible for the medical negligence” said Hafeeza with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Yesterday, it was my Iqra, tomorrow it may be someone else. Someone has to take note of this,” she said while requesting the police as well as the SKIMS authorities to take action and fix the responsibility for the medical negligence, which led to Iqra’s death. Director, SKIMS, Dr Showkat Zargar was not available for comments.

“He is in a meeting. Will call back,” said an office assistant, who attended the call on Zargar’s behalf.